Monitoring the implementation of the EU’s disaster resilience goals
Monitoring the implementation of the EU’s disaster resilience goals This report explores concepts and architectures for monitoring the European Union's Disaster Resilience goals, recently adopted by the European Commission. This study suggests involving EU institutions and stakeholders in the design and data collection procedures to make it possible for Members and Participating States to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the of the implementation of the disaster resilience goals in their countries.
The start of the EU disaster resilience goals
In 2020 the European Commission proposed upgrading the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) following lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The revised UCPM legislation, adopted in 2021, introduced the concept of the union disaster resilience goals (DRG) in civil protection.
The Commission decided to collaborate with Member States to define these goals, providing a common baseline for prevention and preparedness in case of transboundary disasters. The legislation also includes EU-level disaster risk management planning for large-scale transboundary scenarios.
On 8 February 2023, the Commission adopted a Communication on European Union Disaster Resilience Goals: Acting together to deal with future emergencies (COM(2023)61 final) and a Recommendation on Union Disaster Resilience Goals (2023/C56/01). The rationale behind is that convergence of multiple, simultaneous risks that ripple across national borders calls for a change of mindset at all levels. Therefore, as required by the legal framework establishing the Union Mechanism, the EU and the Member States have collectively identified five disaster resilience goals which address the areas where the need to strengthen Europe’s resilience to disasters and crises is the greatest. Such goals are a common baseline to support prevention and preparedness actions for disasters capable of causing multi-country transboundary effects. They are set out in the Commission recommendation and reflected in the DRMKC Work Programme.
The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) has explored various options for DRG indicators, and how to define and monitor them. This was developed in parallel with the work of the Expert Group for Disaster Prevention and Risk Management (DPEG) and DG ECHO.
The importance of composite indicators and the Risk Data Hub
The report starts by exploring the use of a composite indicators approach to monitor progress. A second section explores the identification of relevant indicators for resilience. A third part shows the functionality of the Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre’s (DRMKC) Risk Data Hub (RDH) as a reporting tool, data repository with analytical systems to support the implementation of the DRG.
Refining indicators and advancing the agenda
This report explores pathways for measuring and monitoring the implementation of DRGs. It suggests exploring different approaches and tools, such as stress-testing methods, peer-reviewed assessment frameworks, and impact scenarios with cost-benefit analysis.
Collaboration with EU institutions and stakeholders is crucial for addressing key design and implementation issues. Concrete steps include introducing accessibility metrics, harmonizing the indicator dashboard, and expanding data collection at more granular administrative levels.
